A few days ago
Rita K

Why in such a Northern country as Ireland, many of the people are so dark and almost Mediterranean looking?

By the way, most Anthropologists, and Historians think that ol’ Spanish Armada shipwrecks story is irrevelant to this.

Top 6 Answers
A few days ago
Anonymous

Favorite Answer

Yes, my dad was one of those Irish. We believe that some of his ancestors came from Portugal and were either shipwrecked off the coast of Ireland or jumped ship and stayed. My dad had black hair and blue eyes, an unusual combination. You may be interested in the information at this site.
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A few days ago
LK
There are a variety of colorings in Ireland as in many lands, but I have heard much of the ‘black Irish’, who must have the dark coloring you speak of… usually dark with blue eyes, is that right? It’s probably a case of a boatload of dark travelers landing or being shipwrecked there and living on in Ireland, making babies etc. That often seems to be the case.
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A few days ago
James Bond
I’ve been to Ireland, and I did not see anyone mediterannean looking (except for the gypsies, who were not irish).

I’ve heard the spanish armada washed up in wales, not ireland, but it makes sense that they would have washed up in both places.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
My mums Irish and she claims these dark features are traces of ancestry from the Iberian peninsula.
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A few days ago
Loren S
OTHER THAN THE SPANISH SAILORS COMING ASHORE WHEN DRAKE AND MORGAN TANNED THEIRHIDES I HAVEN’T A CLUE ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE ST. PATRICK WAS ITALIAN SO THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE WITH HIM.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
It is said that Spanish invaded there or something.
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